Ischnocera
Encyclopedia
The Ischnocera is a large suborder of lice mostly parasitic on birds but including a large family (the Trichodectidae) parasitic on mammals. The genus Trichophilopterus is also found on mammals (lemur
s) but probably belongs to the "avian Ischnocera" and represents a host switch from birds to mammals. It is a chewing louce (Mallophaga), which feeds on the feathers and skin debris of birds. Many of the avian Ischnocera have evolved an elongated body shape. This allows them to conceal themselves between the feather shafts and avoid being dislodged during preening or flight.
The taxonomy of the group is in need of revision. Currently four families are recognised but one of these, the Philopteridae, is almost certainly paraphyletic. The families are:
Lemur
Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...
s) but probably belongs to the "avian Ischnocera" and represents a host switch from birds to mammals. It is a chewing louce (Mallophaga), which feeds on the feathers and skin debris of birds. Many of the avian Ischnocera have evolved an elongated body shape. This allows them to conceal themselves between the feather shafts and avoid being dislodged during preening or flight.
The taxonomy of the group is in need of revision. Currently four families are recognised but one of these, the Philopteridae, is almost certainly paraphyletic. The families are:
- Heptapsogasteridae
- Goniodidae
- PhilopteridaePhilopteridaeThe Philopteridae are a family of Ischnocera, chewing lice mostly parasitic on birds.The taxonomy and systematics of the group are in need of revision; the Philopteridae are almost certainly paraphyletic.-Selected genera:...
- Trichodectidae